Samyang Teases 100mm f/2.8 Macro

[ScottyP]

I *really* like the Samyang lenses. I own the 35mm 1.4 and the 14mm 2.8, both with an excellent quality and sharpness. The buildquality is L-Like and the Focusring well damped.

The only thing I miss is an automatic aperture, hell knows why they didn't include a simple chip in it. The optics of the 35mm are even better than the 35mm Sigma Art and the 14mm knows no Coma at all. To announce a 100mm Makro with "unparalleled features" really is a word, but I can't imaging what they mean. The Canon L is at the same price, a fantastic performer with a hybrid-IS and weathersealing. To beat the 100L at the same price they need at least a 2:1 Makro or something mindblowing...

I'm more curious about it, than waiting for...

Exactly. Why no chip for auto aperture??? You can buy one for Linder $20 and glue it onto these lenses, so why in the world would they not include something that cheap that adds so much functionality? I can't understand it.

 

[grainier]

I *really* like the Samyang lenses. I own the 35mm 1.4 and the 14mm 2.8, both with an excellent quality and sharpness. The buildquality is L-Like and the Focusring well damped.

The only thing I miss is an automatic aperture, hell knows why they didn't include a simple chip in it. The optics of the 35mm are even better than the 35mm Sigma Art and the 14mm knows no Coma at all. To announce a 100mm Makro with "unparalleled features" really is a word, but I can't imaging what they mean. The Canon L is at the same price, a fantastic performer with a hybrid-IS and weathersealing. To beat the 100L at the same price they need at least a 2:1 Makro or something mindblowing...

I'm more curious about it, than waiting for...

Exactly. Why no chip for auto aperture??? You can buy one for Linder $20 and glue it onto these lenses, so why in the world would they not include something that cheap that adds so much functionality? I can't understand it.

Because chip alone won't give you automatic aperture. You can glue it on and it will give you partial EXIF, depending on how codable it is, but to have automatic aperture you need a camera-controlled mechanism that will move the blades, meaning probably some sort of electromagnetic actuator wired to the chip.

 

[slclick]

I never use AF for Macro either but I do use my macro lens for things other than macro and thus, AF is nice to have. If you have a good copy, there are few lenses sharper than a Canon 100L.

 

[CanoKnight]

Looks like Samyang wants to do to the Japanese (Canon/Nikon) what Hyundai did (is doing) to Toyota and Honda, or what Samsung did to Sony and Panasonic. That is steal sales by offering high quality/competitively priced products. I see them still being a long way in that respect but they do have my admiration.

 

[yorgasor]

I'm loving these new Samyang releases. I have a modified Nikon D3s (w/ a Canon split prism focusing screen of all things). Between the focus screen and the camera's focus dot indicator, I have a lot of success with MF lenses. I'm disappointed the 5D3 or 7D2 don't have better manual focusing aids. I use Magik Lantern on the 5D3, which is a huge help unless you're outside in bright daylight.

 

[scott_m]

maybe it'll be f/2 (t/2?) and go to 1:1 reproduction ratio - which if I'm not mistaken would make it the only 100mm lens with those specs available, by anyone? Perhaps it'll go beyond 1:1 and still have infinity focus?

In any case I look forward to this release, but it better be awesome for $800 with no AF/IS...

 

[Maximilian]

I use my Canon EF 100/2.8L macro as both a macro and a short telephoto lens. I probably use it more as a short tele than macro, so AF is important to me. This Samyang lens would be a great option for those who only shoot macro with it.

+1
Of course there is "serious" macro photography, with tripod, no need of AF and so on.
And if the Samyang has really, really great IQ then the price might be right.
But I also love taking an occasional macro photo while hiking or walking around.
Not planning for it, no need for taking a tripod with me, etc. So I found "my" macro lens: 100L.

 

[Zv]

I have two Samyang lenses - the wonderful 14mm f/2.8 and the 8mm fisheye for the EOS M. Both are great fun to play about with. I have a Dandelion chip on my 14mm but I might have not bothered as the only useful thing about it is that it now reports 14mm as the focal length instead of 50mm (man that must have confused a few folk on Flickr!)
Kudos to Samyang though for making these focal lengths accessible to budget users.

I think Samyang are on a hot streak and I'm looking forward to hearing more about this macro lens. I don't own a macro lens but if the price is reasonable I might look into it. If not the Canon non L will do just fine.

 

[Marsu42]

Maybe its crazy sharp like the 135mm is reported to be? but will that be enough, when your not getting IS or AF??

Proably it's "sharp enough" to work with Canon's 50mp sensor, because for the legacy 20mp sensors the 100L is certainly as good as it gets concerning sharpness. Bokeh for portraits could be improved a bit though, but to be fair the 100L is a macro lens that is just dual-usable for portrait.

 

[Mr Bean]

I do use AF for macro work. Mainly for wildflowers, orchids, with the camera on a tripod (so no IS required), I like the ability to move the focus points around to suit the subject. And on occasion, I used the AF to photograph flying insects. A challenge, but it can work well.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I've owned several older Samyang lenses, they were low priced, and pretty much junk quality. These were before the digital camera era.

When I saw all the hype about their 14mm lens for Canon, I thought it might make a good wide angle lens for my 1D MK III.

First, I read the manual they included, and was disappointed to read that it was optimized and recommended only for crop cameras (How many read the manual).


Then, I tried it on my 1D MK III, and it locked up the camera such that exposures were badly overexposed. Then putting a EF lens on the camera also would no longer work.

I did a total camera reset, and was then able to take a photo, but the entire left side of the image was horrible, and contrast was lower than I expected. I put on my Canon 15mm FE, and it was wonderful by comparison, and I had paid $100 less for it.

Even though the lens was obviously defective, I had to pay return shipping.

Some people think their wonderful, I just shake my head, I've even had a Samyang spotting scope, same story, just cheap junk.

 

[Sunnystate]

Have to say that, I agree but to some point.
I got one for astrophotography and tested against my Canon 14mmII, in daylight for normal use Canon wins on most counts. But at night when shooting broad milkyway captures lack of coma in Samyang beats Canon's 14mmII, mustache distortion really does not play any role, others like vignetting are not that much worse than that of Canon and easy to fix in PS.

"For the price" as most people usually states in the reviews you can't beat the Samyang, and it is not that hard to understand how many people will never be able or willing to spend 2-3K for a super wide Canon lens, so lets respect the fact that they have an option that for the price is actually very good

I've owned several older Samyang lenses, they were low priced, and pretty much junk quality. These were before the digital camera era.

When I saw all the hype about their 14mm lens for Canon, I thought it might make a good wide angle lens for my 1D MK III.

First, I read the manual they included, and was disappointed to read that it was optimized and recommended only for crop cameras (How many read the manual).


Then, I tried it on my 1D MK III, and it locked up the camera such that exposures were badly overexposed. Then putting a EF lens on the camera also would no longer work.

I did a total camera reset, and was then able to take a photo, but the entire left side of the image was horrible, and contrast was lower than I expected. I put on my Canon 15mm FE, and it was wonderful by comparison, and I had paid $100 less for it.

Even though the lens was obviously defective, I had to pay return shipping.

Some people think their wonderful, I just shake my head, I've even had a Samyang spotting scope, same story, just cheap junk.

 

[jdramirez]

I can't remember the last time I used AF for macro and I usually use a tripod (for focus stacking as well as stability) so if that's your style of macro shooting, the lack of AF and IS might not be a problem. But I agree with others about the ambitious pricing of this lens.

The last time I did any macro work, I killed my subject so they wouldn't move. I don't think the cops are going to come knocking at my door over a stink bug... but generally I tripod mount, use really small apertures like f/11 or smaller, what I would like to do is get some cheap spacers and still have control over my aperture and focus. Huh. $800... nope. I'm out of the market... at least the new market. I might be in around $600 new... and then wait to buy a used wait at $450...

I loved my two 100L's... but at minimum focusing distance and f/11ish... my depth of field was crazy thin and while I could work with it... it isn't what I wanted...

With a samyang 100 and a spacer... I'm probably looking at even small dof... So maybe... I just get out while the getting is good.

I did consider the 65mm mp-e... but I really did want a focus ring... huh...

 

[dadgummit]

I can't remember the last time I used AF for macro and I usually use a tripod (for focus stacking as well as stability) so if that's your style of macro shooting, the lack of AF and IS might not be a problem. But I agree with others about the ambitious pricing of this lens.

The last time I did any macro work, I killed my subject so they wouldn't move. I don't think the cops are going to come knocking at my door over a stink bug... but generally I tripod mount, use really small apertures like f/11 or smaller, what I would like to do is get some cheap spacers and still have control over my aperture and focus. Huh. $800... nope. I'm out of the market... at least the new market. I might be in around $600 new... and then wait to buy a used wait at $450...

I loved my two 100L's... but at minimum focusing distance and f/11ish... my depth of field was crazy thin and while I could work with it... it isn't what I wanted...

With a samyang 100 and a spacer... I'm probably looking at even small dof... So maybe... I just get out while the getting is good.

I did consider the 65mm mp-e... but I really did want a focus ring... huh...

At $450 you can pick up a mint Canon 100 USM Macro which has auto aperture and AF and have enough left over for a nice lunch. If you are one that does not use AF the Canon 100 does MF too. Though there is a chance that on a focus chart the samyang may be marginally better but it would have to be better AND cheaper than the alternative for me to give up auto aperture.

The 14mm f2.8 at about $275 is a great deal because any alternatives are thousands of dollars more. If this lens is just a little sharper than the canon but gives up AF, auto aperture, EXIF reporting, and canon quality it is a no go even at $400 much less than $800.

BUT if it is a 2X macro or better with the ability to infinity focus as well that changes everything!

 

[jdramirez]

At $450 you can pick up a mint Canon 100 USM Macro which has auto aperture and AF and have enough left over for a nice lunch. If you are one that does not use AF the Canon 100 does MF too. Though there is a chance that on a focus chart the samyang may be marginally better but it would have to be better AND cheaper than the alternative for me to give up auto aperture.

The 14mm f2.8 at about $275 is a great deal because any alternatives are thousands of dollars more. If this lens is just a little sharper than the canon but gives up AF, auto aperture, EXIF reporting, and canon quality it is a no go even at $400 much less than $800.

BUT if it is a 2X macro or better with the ability to infinity focus as well that changes everything!

The spacers I would use cost fifteen bucks. So they don't communicate the aperture or auto focus from the body to the lens... Which is why I would be ok with a manual aperture. I could hit the dof preview, but that is one step more than I'm willing to do

 

[grainier]

maybe it'll be f/2 (t/2?) and go to 1:1 reproduction ratio

How often do you see macro shots done wide open at max magnification?

 

[mackguyver]

maybe it'll be f/2 (t/2?) and go to 1:1 reproduction ratio

How often do you see macro shots done wide open at max magnification?

I see far too many on the web, actually ;D

 

[jdramirez]

Who wants to point me to a good tutorial on macro focus stacking. I know how it is done... but I imagine I need a better head/tripod if I use a 65 mp-e... or a better system of moving the focus ring...

 

[Xenol]

Just been released: http://www.syopt.com/en/camera/photo-lenses-100mm-F2.8-ED-UMC-MACRO.php

 

[vscd]

Can someone point out the "Magic New Thingy" on the lense, now that it's available? I don't see anything special at all.